Weekday Dinner at The Bristol Harbour Hotel

This article comes after an invitation from the Bristol Harbour Hotel to review the Jetty Restaurant’s new à la carte menu. While the meal was complimentary, the opinions expressed in this article reflect my true experience.

Corn Street is many things to many people – a weekend market, a clubbing destination and a foodie’s dream. I revel in the diversity of restaurants and bars, but sitting at the top like a castle on the hill, is Corn Street’s crowning glory – the Bristol Harbour Hotel.

Behind its 16th century Venetian-inspired façade, this former Lloyds HQ and Midlands Bank houses 42 luxury bedrooms, its award-winning Jetty Restaurant, a contemporary cocktail bar and a HarSPA complete with treatment rooms, an indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, steam room and sauna and state of the art gym.

Hard to believe all that is easily available within Bristol’s City Centre right? And despite the grandeur, The Bristol Harbour Hotel is more affordable than first glance may suggest.

The Bristol Harbour Hotel Jetty Restaurant

My Fair Lady

Quite often you’ll see me with half chewed nails, my hair in a ponytail and a face devoid of all makeup (and the sun), so believe me when I say that I’m not typically lavish. I do however, enjoy a taste of the finer things in life once in a while, so I jumped at the kind invitation from the Bristol Harbour Hotel to try the Jetty Restaurant’s new à la carte menu.

Having donned my block heeled sandals for the evening, I was feeling particularly fancy for a Monday (I usually change into my pyjamas as soon as I get home), but it’s not uncommon for me to feel a little uncomfortable in some finer restaurants – especially as I use my knife and fork backwards apparently? So I was really comforted by the fact The Jetty Restaurant still retained a sense of casual dining, with a décor that’s the perfect blend of elegance and comfort.

The Jetty Restaurant at Bristol Harbour Hotel

The Cheese Soufflé I’ll Never Forget

Despite being a seafood bar & grill, the à la carte menu still caters to meat eaters and the like. I spent most of the day at work procrastinating over what to order that evening, but the starter was a no-brainer as soon as I spotted cheese soufflé on the menu.

Admittedly neither I, nor my partner who accompanied me to the evening, had ever had cheese soufflé (I know!), but cheese is always a good idea and we were more than pleasantly surprised.

The soufflé was perfectly golden on the outside, with a delicious cheese crust bathing in a pool of melted cheese, resembling the savoury-version of a cake, but slathered in cheese.

As soon as the spoon slid straight through the crust, my partner’s exact words were “it’s like a naughty scrambled egg” which coming from him – is a HUGE compliment.

My partner is a 32 year old meat eater who eats scrambled eggs for breakfast everyday and until recently, had a phobia of sauce and wouldn’t touch anything with the hint of exotic (including cheese).

Cheese Souffle at Bristol Harbour Hotel’s Jetty Restaurant

Steak and Chips

We weren’t particularly experimental for the main course, but that’s not to say I wasn’t tempted by the Moules Mariniere, Cod & Crab or Grilled Lamb Rump! But I had a craving for some meat and the fillet steak called to me. Since we both ordered the same, we chose to share skinny fries (I voted for fat chips) and Steamed Broccoli Toasted Almonds – you know for balance.

I ordered my steak medium as I like it a little pink. The size is quite perceptive, what looks like a small cut is actually a big chunk. The outside was seared beautifully leaving a dark brown almost glazed skin – it was perfection on a plate.

The knife slid right through to reveal the beautiful pink meat inside, not only did it taste divine, but my partner claimed it as the best steak he’s ever eaten – and let me tell you, he eats a lot of steak.

Fillet Steak at Bristol Harbour Hotel’s Jetty Restaurant

The Final Course – More Soufflé

Because one soufflé just wasn’t enough, the chocolate Soufflé was a definite winner for dessert. It was so delectable, that I took a bite before remembering to take a photo of it. Served with vanilla ice cream, it was the perfect end to an incredulous dinner.

Chocolate Soufflé at Bristol Harbour Hotel’s Jetty Restaurant

The Gold Bar

Drunk on cheese and chocolate, there was no stopping us as we continued the evening in the Gold Bar. As is to be expected on a Monday evening, it was beautifully quiet, so we had first refusal for where to sit – we chose the ‘red room’ as I dubbed it – thanks to the red glow radiating off the neon sign.

I actually visited The Gold Bar around its opening back in July last year, and while the cocktail menu has had a refresh, I was glad to see the decor remained.

While I can’t remember the name of the cocktail I had, I can tell you I opted for the one that contained my favourite polish vodka – Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka – which was quite fitting since it’s almost a year to the day since visiting Krakow.

Had I not noticed that special ingredient, I’d probably still be there now deciding which one to have.

Decor in The Gold Bar

The Red Room in Bristol Harbour Hotel’s Gold Bar

Cocktail in Bristol Harbour Hotel’s Gold Bar

Contemporary Cocktail in Bristol Harbour Hotel’s Gold Bar

Hey Big Spender

The Jetty Restaurant is the kind of dining experience for something special, since the three courses averaged around £50 per person – bearing in mind we ordered the most expensive item from the main courses. That said, there are further options that are more affordable, and cater to a range of budgets.

The Pre-Theatre Menu offers two courses for £15.95 or 3 courses for £19.95, available from 5.30pm – 7.30pm everyday. Located just two minutes walk from Bristol Hippodrome, this would certainly add to the glamour of the evening.

If you can’t wait until Friday for your usual chippie take-away, why not get an upgrade with mouth-watering fish and chips with a glass of fizz for only £9.95! Available between 12-3pm and 6-10pm every Thursday.

If that fillet steak was anything to go by, I’m imagining the roast dinner to be out of this world. What’s even better is you can enjoy two courses for £17.95 AND the cheese soufflé is on the menu. I’m currently trying to find our next available Sunday…

As a bit of an afternoon tea connoisseur, I was surprised and pleased to see afternoon being offered. Available Monday to Saturday, 2:30pm until 5:30pm, prices start from as little as £7.50 for a simple cream tea for one, £15.95 for full afternoon tea and £23.50 for champagne afternoon tea.